Metgod handed Pompey role

Former Real Madrid defender Johnny Metgod has quit his coaching role at Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam to become the new first-team coach at Portsmouth.

New Pompey manager Tony Adams had a spell on the coaching staff at Feyenoord in 2005 and the duo will now be reunited at Fratton Park.

"Tony Adams is a key figure in British football but his thinking is influenced by Dutch football," Metgod said.

"We had excellent contact when he was at Feyenoord and that has remained," the former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur defender added.

Metgod, who admitted it was a difficult decision to leave De Kuip, will replace Joe Jordan who left Portsmouth to join former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp at Tottenham last week.

The 50-year-old Dutchman said: "Tony called me on Friday morning to ask if I wanted to become first-team coach at Portsmouth. The chance to work with him and return to the highest level in England is appealing to me.

"As a player, I had four beautiful years there and I am looking forward to working in full stadiums every week and with the best players."

The Amsterdam-born coach, who also played for Feyenoord 164 times between 1988 and 1994, said: "After all these years I leave here with pain in my heart but this is a challenge I cannot let pass by."

Adams revealed John Metgod was "super-keen'' to move to Fratton Park.

He told the club's official website: "He's been working for Feyenoord for 20 years in
different capacities. I think he was instrumental in setting up their academy
there.

"He jumped at the chance to come here. He was super-keen. He loved it in
England when he was a player and can't wait to come and work for us.''

Adams is confident the former Holland international will be a calm and
supportive influence on the Fratton Park bench.

"John's going to be a fantastic ally,'' said the former Arsenal centre-back.
"He's the right person for this football club.

"He's very calm and low-key. He's going to support me and hopefully help the
players.

"I do like doing a lot of coaching and Johnny will support me. He'll help me,
be there for me, talk to me and share his experience with me. He'll suggest
players, he'll work with players - everything someone in football does.

"He's a little bit older than me and has been around the block. He's played in
England, Spain and Holland under some unbelievable managers.''

"I'm planning on being at this football club for a long time, and the people
here have given me no reason to think otherwise,'' said Adams.

"If I am given time I am sure I will be able to. I have confidence in my
ability to be able to do that.''